Well, it's that time again ... and everyone can participate!
Here's what you need to do:
1.
Download one of the three MP3 accompaniment tracks (see below) to play to. This is what you'll listen to while playing your solo. Not only does the accompaniment provide a rhythmic-bed for you to play over, but it helps get everyone in the right tempo. The loop is in 4/4 at 85 bpm to the quarter-note. The accompaniment starts with a two-bar count-off (cowbell) followed by 24 measures of Bass groove. You will actually only need to groove/solo for 12 bars; the extra 12 bars is there in case you need more time to find a pocket.
2.
Record yourself playing to the Solo Accompaniment track. Not everyone has their own recording studio ... and that's okay! Just do the best you can with what you have. Record only yourself, we don't need to hear the accompaniment track, that will be added in the final mix, in post-production, by myself. Depending on what everyone does, I may add other instruments to fill out the mix.
Feel free to just groove and add a few solo licks here and there if you want; you don't have to solo through the 12 measures. In fact we want more GROOVE this year! Also, don't allow yourself to be pigeonholed by the bass track. You can play straight or swung figures, it WILL work, but it's up to you and what you hear and want to play.
3. Something new this year:
Take a photo of you behind your drum or percussion set-up or video tape yourself performing. That's right, this year we are adding video to the mix. This is completely optional on your part, but in order to enter your solo I'll at least need a solo. Video can serve two purposes; the visual and the audio. Many people don't have a means to audio record their solos, but they do have access to a video camera. If you are pleased with the audio that you get from the video camera ... use it! NOTE: I do not want and will not accept separate audio/video files. I don't have time to try and sync everything, so just send a video of you performing OR an audio recording of your solo along with a still photo.
4.
Send your recording and photo to solo@drummercafe.com. We want to give everyone plenty of time to make their recording. My goal is to mix the project by the early part of June 2008. When it's time to send in your portion of the solo, I'll want it in a stereo mix, WAV or AIFF format; 44.1 kHz, 16 or 24 bit. Video can be in just about anything; MOV, AVI, WMV, MPG, etc.
MORE INFORMATIONFirst of all ...
this is NOT a contest, it's only an exhibition, so please ... no wagering! Seriously, this is going to be a Community Solo recording for everyone to participate in. You don't have to have professional recording gear, nor do you have to be an incredible soloist. Have fun, experiment and come up with some interesting things to say on your instrument. We want to hear you play, even if you just groove and keep time with the loop track.
I would suggest that
each person start by landing right on the downbeat of ONE at the beginning of their groove/solo. What you do after that is up to you! In prior years I've had soloists begin with a cymbal crash on the downbeat of ONE. This allowed me to know where you are starting in the phrase, and will help all of us clearly hear when one drummer stops and another starts. I'll include your username and photo with your solo, so that when people are listening to the final product, we'll know who's playing.
I prefer that you
not record the loop to your tracks, just record your drums or percussion. I'd like everyone to groove, solo or a mix of the two for 12 measures. Longer solos will not be used! The loop is long enough so that you'll have some time to get into the groove before you actually play. Please do not go over 12 bars;
we want many soloists rather than a few
long solos. I reserve the right to cut the solo down if need be.
12 measures at this tempo is close to 30 seconds for each individual.I will NOT be editing solos. What you send me is what will appear in the final mix of the Community Solo #4. Also, let's not Pro Tool or "fix" the solos to death. Play it the best you can ... and leave it alone. We want to hear you just as you are!
Please post to this thread when you have finished your solo recording. I'd like everyone to have their solo recorded by
May 31, 2008. This gives you over a month, so don't delay in getting this done. Late entries
will not be accepted ... so again, don't delay in recording your solo.
Have fun!
P.S. If you are not familiar with our community solo, click
HERE to listen to last years solo!
